About Me

I was born in Calgary, Alberta into a reasonably creative family. My grandfather, Herbert Earle, was an engraver, calligrapher, watercolor and oils artist. He also played the violin and did makeup for local theater. My mother was an artist with fabric and design - she could sew anything. Some might say I come by any artistic skills thru heredity and maybe there is some truth to that but I credit most of my skill to study and practice.

 

This painting, for example, was done twice in pencil before I did it in watercolor.


Abandoned - 10 x 12 watercolor







I dabbled in art while my children were young trying different media like weaving, jewelery making, and drawing. After moving to Wynndel, in the beautiful Creston Valley, my mind turned to painting more and more and finally, in 1997 I took the plunge and started in watercolor.

Although mostly self taught, I have taken classes and workshops with a number of well known artists, Zoltan Szabo, Terry Isacc, Joyce Kamakura, Donna Jo Massie to name a few. I have also studied with local artists - Karen Arrowsmith and Win Dinn for example. I do not stick to one medium or one style but tend to explore where ever my interest leads me. I work in watercolors, acrylics, oils, pen & ink, charcoal, mixed media and, recently, fabric art.

After the kids left home I had my husband convert two of the bedrooms into one nice studio space and that is where I do my art explorations. We have also turned our home into a gallery which is open to the public. A bit off the main path, Mellowood Studio and Art Gallery doesn't get a lot of traffic but visitors are always welcome.